Media Advisory: States’ Rights v. Federal Power Under Trump

WHAT:Federalism Now, a day-long conference on states’ rights versus federal power under the Trump administration. A mix of lawyers, policy-makers, and academics will focus on two areas germane to California: climate change, and immigration law and policy—specifically border security, travel bans, and sanctuary cities.

WHO: The Honorable Tani Cantil-Sakauye, Chief Justice of California, will keynote the event at 1:00 pm. The Chief Justice will discuss state and federal court interactions, the importance of their distinct roles, and the influence of federal law on state court decision-making.

Moderators and panelists on immigration and environmental policies include: Jennifer Granholm, distinguished UC Berkeley professor and former Michigan governor; Dennis J. Herrera, the City Attorney of San Francisco; Erwin Chemerinsky, dean of UC Berkeley School of Law; Sean Donahue, founder, Donahue & Goldberg; Craig Segall, assistant chief counsel, California Air Resources Board; and other legal and academic experts. See the full list here.

DETAILS: The program schedule is available online. Click here for a map, parking and public transit information.

BACKGROUND: As the national government makes dramatic policy shifts, the importance of ‘local control’ takes on new meaning in the context of resistance, said Karen Tani, Berkeley Law professor and a conference organizer. Tani and law faculty colleague Bertrall Ross have invited experts from various political viewpoints to engage in “reasoned conversation.” The aim, said Ross, is to help “set a model” for the types of collaborative discussions our country should be having on pivotal issues. To read the full story, go here.

Sponsors: The event is co-sponsored by the California Constitution Center, Institute of Governmental Studies, Federalist Society, American Constitution Society, Bar Association of San Francisco, Alameda County Bar Association, and the Aspen Institute.